Month: May 2021

Spicy Blueberry Pork Tenderloin

Spicy Blueberry Pork Tenderloin

Even if you don’t like blueberries with pork I guarantee you will enjoy this pork tenderloin.  This was easy to prepare and loaded with flavor. The sauce is so good you will want to eat it with a spoon all by itself.  Recipe adapted from 

Apple, Pear, and Walnut Salad

Apple, Pear, and Walnut Salad

I love apples and pears and thought this salad would pair well with a spicy blueberry tenderloin I was making for dinner.  The vinaigrette tasted fantastic although I may switch pecans for walnuts in the future since I am not a real fan of walnuts.  

Weeknight Chicken Enchiladas

Weeknight Chicken Enchiladas

Are you craving chicken enchiladas, but pressed for time?  These enchiladas taste great and are a breeze to prepare.  You can adjust the spice level by using mild or medium salsa and different shredded cheeses. If you are serving a large crowd just double the recipe. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 boneless skinless chicken breasts diced

2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Mexican blend, etc..)

1 16 ounce jar salsa

½ can 15 ounce reduced sodium black beans (I used half the can in this recipe and half to make zucchini enchiladas)

4 whole wheat tortillas

Toppings: plain nonfat Greek yogurt or sour cream

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
  2. Spray a 8×8 nonstick pan with olive oil spray. Cook the chicken on medium heat until no longer pink.  Season with taco seasoning. 
  3. Drain and rinse the black beans.  Add the black beans to the chicken. 
  4. Spread a thin layer of salsa in the bottom of the pan.
  5. Reserve ½ cup salsa.
  6. Add the remaining salsa to the pan with the chicken.  Mix to coat the chicken.
  7. Use a large spoon to fill 4 tortillas.  Place the tortillas seam side down in the pan.
  8. Pour the remaining salsa over the tortillas.
  9. Sprinkle to cover with cheese.  My kids love cheese so I used all 8 ounces. 
  10. Bake for 20 minutes if cooking now.  If prepping and cooking after refrigerating the dish bake for 40-45 minutes until the dish is heated through and the cheese melts.
  11. Enjoy! Add scallions, cilantro, avocado, or plain nonfat Greek yogurt if desired.
Zucchini Chicken Enchiladas

Zucchini Chicken Enchiladas

I love enchiladas, but I was craving zucchini so instead of using whole wheat tortillas I decided to use zucchini sliced thin for this dish.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 boneless skinless chicken breasts diced 2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, 

Strawberry Jello Pie

Strawberry Jello Pie

I was in the mood for strawberries and I wanted a light dessert.  This strawberry jello pie was the perfect answer. I modified this from an old family recipe by using less sugar and making the pie crust myself. I have also made this using mixed 

Chocolate Peanut Chip Energy Balls

Chocolate Peanut Chip Energy Balls

After an intense workout in the morning my body is in need of protein.  These protein packed energy balls taste like a Reese’s without the guilt.

Ingredients:

2 scoops chocolate protein powder

½ cup nut butter (I used Wow butter)

1/3 cup light or pure maple syrup

½ cup cocoa almonds crushed

¼ cup peanut butter chips

Directions:

  1. Add almonds to a food processor to chop. 
  2. Add protein powder, nut butter, and maple syrup.  Pulse to mix.
  3. Add more syrup if the mixture is too dry.
  4. Add peanut butter chips.  Pulse quickly to mix in the peanut chips.
  5. Use a cookie scooper to form small balls.  (Refrigerate for 15 minutes if mixture is too sticky.)
  6. Store in an air-tight container.
  7. Enjoy!
Double Banana Peanut Muffins

Double Banana Peanut Muffins

Bananas and peanut butter are such a great combination! These healthy muffins combine the sweetness from bananas with the salty crunch from peanuts and dried banana chips. Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas mashed 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 scoop vanilla protein 

French Onion Green Beans

French Onion Green Beans

If you are craving the fried onions from green bean casserole but looking for a lighter dish then I have the answer for you.  This dish is easy to make, is packed with flavor, and low on calories and fat. Ingredients: 2 cups green beans 

Fall Off the Bone Chicken Thighs

Fall Off the Bone Chicken Thighs

Are you looking for a simple and delicious Sunday night meal?  This chicken bakes slowly, but requires little prep and tastes amazing.  You won’t be able to stop eating these fantastic chicken thighs.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon garlic powder

8 boneless, skin on chicken thighs 

2 tablespoons chopped chives

Directions:

  1. Combine the sugar, paprika, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper. 
  2. Toss the chicken in the spice mixture until coated. 
  3. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  5. Bake until the chicken is super moist and falling off the bone about 2 hours. 
  6. Remove the baking dish from the oven and remove the foil.  Use a spoon or ladle to remove as much liquid from the dish as possible.  Reserve the liquid. Turn the oven to broil. 
  7. Broil the chicken until the skin is golden brown and slightly crisp for 5 minutes. 
  8. Sprinkle the chicken with chives and serve with the reserved pan juices.
  9. I served this with lemon pepper potatoes and French Onion Green Beans (see recipes in Sides/Salads).
Green Bean Salad

Green Bean Salad

I get bored eating the same thing over and over.  Green beans were on sale, so I searched on Food Network until I found a recipe that looked appealing.  This is a great quick side dish starring green beans. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients